SAN FRANCISCO — In a tightly contested NBA Cup matchup, the Golden State Warriors secured a 123-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Draymond Green contributed significantly with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists before being ejected late in the game due to two technical fouls received in quick succession.
Stephen Curry, despite a sluggish start, rallied to score 13 points, adding eight boards and five assists to his performance. Buddy Hield supported the offense with 18 points, while Moses Moody chipped in with 14 points. On the opposing side, Jaren Jackson Jr. had a standout night for Memphis, pouring in 32 points. This game showcased the depth of both teams, who heavily rely on their bench players.
Curry, who had impressive scoring performances in his previous games — netting 36 and 37 points — struggled initially, shooting 4-for-9 overall, including three 3-pointers.
Among the notable storylines, the Grizzlies’ star guard Ja Morant has begun some light shooting drills and is set to undergo imaging tests on his injured hip and pelvis early next week when the team returns home. Coach Taylor Jenkins noted that Morant is eager to return to the court.
For the Warriors, guard Lindy Waters III made his second start of the season but suffered a hyperextended left knee after blocking a shot with just under two minutes left in the second quarter, forcing him to leave the game.
In critical moments of the match, the Warriors successfully challenged a foul call against Green with 1:40 remaining in the second quarter. The original call was reversed, placing the foul on Jake LaRavia instead. Golden State managed another successful challenge midway through the fourth quarter, further influencing the game’s momentum.
Looking at the statistics, Curry’s offensive rhythm was disrupted early on, as he did not score a field goal until sinking a 3-pointer with 2:40 left in the first half. He struggled in the first quarter, shooting only once and scoring his first points from free throws.
The upcoming schedule has the Grizzlies hosting Denver on Sunday and Tuesday, while the Warriors will be heading to Los Angeles to face the Clippers, where they have struggled historically, having lost their last four matchups in the series and five consecutive games on the road.